Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

[kuga]

Can you recommend me an analog solid-state combo for playing metal in my room. I already have Fender Frontman 15R and its 15W are good enough for my needs, but its overdrive channel is more for blues and rock. Great sound on low volume (with high gain) is required, because I live in the apartment. I also need a 3-band EQ.
I would like it to be NON-modeling solid-state, because I've tried Boss Katana and that digital feeling is awful.
My budget is around $250.

Thank you!

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

The old Marshall 5212's were GREAT solid state amps, (but from the 80's, maybe rare)...

I hope you avoid the digital stuff. It never sounded OK to me.

Try some of the cheaper tube stuff, maybe Blackstar.

-Erl

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Orange Crush series.

Sunn Alpha Lead.

 

[Jigsisme]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Orange Crush will get it done and then some. Eq in loop will get modern too.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

I second the Randall, though I suggest the RG80 combo, it will be easier to find for your budget.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Yeah,. my lead guitarist 12 years ago, played a Randall combo.

It sounded good, not "great", but heck, it was cheap and LOUD!

After I got my first real tube amp, I've been so spoiled, that I can't/won't go back to SS.

but Randall, yeah!

 

[kuga]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Thank you, guys!
Randall RG80 grabbed my attention for a long time, but I'm not sure if it can be played quiet enough for room practicing. I'll see if I can find an used one for my budget in my country.
I don't believe that I can find Sunn Alpha or '80s Marshall here, but thanks for interesting suggestions!

Orange Crush (20RT) is the most likely choice at the moment.

Any other suggestion?

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Thank you, guys!
Randall RG80 grabbed my attention for a long time, but I'm not sure if it can be played quiet enough for room practicing. I'll see if I can find an used one for my budget in my country.
I don't believe that I can find Sunn Alpha or '80s Marshall here, but thanks for interesting suggestions!

Orange Crush (20RT) is the most likely choice at the moment.

Any other suggestion?

where you from, btw?

Personally, I've never heard an Orange amp that I liked. Many people love them, though!

\m/

-Erl

 

[kuga]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

where you from, btw?


-Erl

I'm from Serbia, Southern Europe. Nikola Tesla, Novak Djokovic etc.

I've tried to avoid those tube amps which are MOSFET + 1 or 2 tubes like Blackstar HT-5R or Randall with Valve Dynamic (tm) and similar compromises with fancy names
I actually thought there are much more SS amps under 50W and monster gain...

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

I'm from Serbia, Southern Europe. Nikola Tesla, Novak Djokovic etc.

I've tried to avoid those tube amps which are MOSFET + 1 or 2 tubes like Blackstar HT-5R or Randall with Valve Dynamic (tm) and similar compromises with fancy names
I actually thought there are much more SS amps under 50W and monster gain...

Ok...

I am owning and daily playing, my one amp. A Blackstar HT-20mkII combo.

It has LOADS of gain, great gain . Aswell as a "modern" voicing, for even more extreme tones.

I'd highly recommend it- it's a great "bang for the buck" aswell as having a nice clean channel.

A poor digital reverb though, but that's about the only drawback!

-Erlend.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

The HT-5 has only 1 preamp tube, and 1 power tube...

and things like the "Roland Hot Blues Cube" that has "digital tube like voicing" sounded like CRAP to me! :/

...so..

Atleast the one I got, is good. I guess there's some kind of transistor/diode extra gain stage, but anyways, you can really hear, and feel the tubes glow .

Great amp.

-Erl

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

I used to have a 200w Randall 2x12 combo, it sounded good at bedroom levels as well as at high volumes

 

[Jigsisme]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Forgot the Peavey XXL

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

I'm from Serbia, Southern Europe. Nikola Tesla, Novak Djokovic etc.

I've tried to avoid those tube amps which are MOSFET + 1 or 2 tubes like Blackstar HT-5R or Randall with Valve Dynamic (tm) and similar compromises with fancy names
I actually thought there are much more SS amps under 50W and monster gain...

There are ..but some are'nt available as combo's (AMT Stonehead)

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

...& some are hybrids with a full valve preamp (Randall T2C)

& they'll both probably set you back by $500 or so...even used

 

[nexion218]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

If you only need it in bedroom, why not slap a good pedal in front of your amp? 250 USD will get you boutique, high end distortion pedals, but not much in amp world.

 

[dave74]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Used smaller solid-state like Marshall MG 50w 112 and a good used pedal. Heck just get the pedal first and see how it sounds through the Fender, although ultimately you'll want a 12" speaker even for bedroom levels (IMO).

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

"metal" doesn't really mean "cheap, distorted tone"...

... not implying that anyone here meant that (or thought it, except me)...

being a metal head myself, I swear about the tone of slightly overdriven power tubes;

and being a bit picky, even if the tone is highly overdriven.

Though, some styles like Black Metal, is great with a "DOD Death Metal" or Boss MT-2.... just to make it noisy and lo-fi...

hope you find an amp that suits your needs

-Erlend \m/

 

[Hsb]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Im with Nexion here, get a good distortion pedal and you could save a bit of money. Buy it used and save even more.

 

[Spirit of 76]

Re: Analog solid-state combo for playing metal at home

Check out an Orange Crush 20 RT. It's got built in Reverb and a Built in LED Tuner. Also has both a clean and dirty OD channel and only $189 (pre tax).

Sounds really good and not very large but has big sound if an when you need it but also perfect for at home playing.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Orange-Amplifiers/Crush-20RT-20W-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp.gc